As of now, officials are reviewing signatures to force recall elections against five GOP senators and three Democrats. Dems need to net three wins to take back the senate.

Within days, we should have a full and clear picture of the shape of the recall elections. Then the fun really begins.

* Boehner threatens not to raise debt ceiling: The Speaker, in a new interview, ups the stakes yet again: “There’s a chance it could not happen.”

This is yet another sign that Republicans seem to be proceeding from the assumption that the White House and Dems were never serious about holding firm behind a "clean” vote on raising the debt ceiling. The result: The “compromise” position will be a deal on a debt ceiling hike, in which Dems make concessions in exchange for something that everyone has already agreed has to happen in order to avert national catastrophe.

* Rising gas prices putting Obama at risk: Some striking findings released by the Post: Obama’s approval rating is at only 39 percent among those who see rising gas prices as a “serious financial hardship.” And 60 percent of independents who say they’re struggling at the pump say they definitely won’t support Obama for reelection.

* Boehner’s take on high gas prices: Folks are claiming that the news in this ABC interview with Boehner is that he’s saying he’s open to nixing subsidies for oil companies. But it seems pretty clear that his main focus remains seizing on the rising gas prices to push for more oil and gas exploration.

* The Trump conundrum, ctd.: It’s great that CNN has conclusively debunked the birther nonsense yet again, but really, what’s the point of fact-checking someone who has adopted a deliberate strategy of trafficking in lies in order to attract media attention, with no concern about whether it’s positive or negative?

* And Trump comes out against Ryan plan: Looking forward to all the stories about this Trump claim:

— Said Republicans had made a mistake by embracing a budget proposal crafted by Wisconsin GOP Rep. Paul Ryan that included deep cuts in Medicare. “The seniors are afraid. The plan Paul Ryan put forth has made the Democrats so happy,” Trump said.